ROSAT PSPC Images of the Cygnus Loop

This supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus, known as the Cygnus
Loop, is roughly 20,000 years old. It is generally circular in shape except
for a break-out towards the south. In addition, there are many bright,
filamentary structures. The ROSAT PSPC observation has allowed the
temperature and density structure to be studied on a fine angular scale.

(Credit: S. L. Snowden)

Figure a) of the PSPC plate shows the hard band (0.5-2.0 keV) mosaic of the
Cygnus Loop and Figure b) shows the soft band (0.1 - 0.3 keV). (In all of
these figures, purple and blue indicate low values while yellow and red
indicate high values.) While the general structure in the two bands is
reasonably similar, there are certain differences. This is easily seen in
Figure c) which shows the hard/soft band ratio. In general, the interior
of the Loop is harder and therefore hotter than the edge. This type of
temperature gradient is consistent with what is expected.

The Imagine Team
Project Leader: Dr. Barbara Mattson
Curator: J.D. Myers
Responsible NASA Official: Phil Newman
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This page last updated: Thursday, 28-Oct-2004 18:46:00 EDT

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